A's-Rangers postponed by rain

Wednesday's game between Oakland and the Texas Rangers was
postponed after a one-hour rain delay and will be made up as
part of a doubleheader on May 29.

Earlier Wednesday, the A's placed infielders Nomar Garciaparra
and Mark Ellis on the 15-day disabled list with calf problems
and were without first baseman Jason Giambi, who was nursing
sore hamstrings in both legs.

"Whenever there's an up, there's a down," said A's manager Bob
Geren, whose team has lost six of eight. "We're banged up, the
day off is nice, but on the other hand we're going to have 28
straight days playing this year, a couple of those."

Geren said left-hander Dallas Braden will start Thursday's
series finale as had been scheduled. Left-hander Josh Outman,
Wednesday night's scheduled starter, will be pushed back to
Sunday against Seattle.

The Rangers, who have won four of five, wanted to maintain
momentum, but Washington was thankful he didn't have his players
risk injuries on a wet field.

"There's a day game tomorrow and we didn't want to start after 9
tonight," Washington said. "We didn't want to get anyone hurt."

Garciaparra went on the DL for the 13th time in his major league
career. Oakland called up infielder Eric Patterson and
right-hander Kevin Cameron from Triple-A Sacramento.

Garciaparra and Ellis came up lame in Tuesday night's 5-4 loss
to Texas. Also leaving Tuesday night's game were rookie
left-hander Brett Anderson, with a blistered finger, and
reliever Santiago Casilla, with a sore ankle.

Geren said Casilla is day-to-day. Anderson's finger could be
healed in time for his next start Monday night at home against
the Los Angeles Angels.

The day off was beneficial for Giambi, who said he could be back
at first base on Thursday.

"I wouldn't have been able to play today," Giambi said. "This
definitely helps me out. I've been treating it all day and it's
feeling a little better. We'll see tomorrow how it is."

Geren had Eric Chavez penciled into Wednesday night's lineup in
place of Giambi. A six-time Gold Glove third baseman, Chavez was
set to play first base for the first time since 2001. Chavez had
played in only three of the previous 12 games due to a sore
right elbow.

Chavez needs a few more days before he will be able to throw
from third base, but he can swing the bat, so Geren wanted him
back in the lineup.

Oakland has a team batting average of .233 and has eight homers,
fewest in the majors.

Notes: The A's were rained out for the second time this
season. An April 20 game at the New York Yankees was washed out.
... The Rangers had their first rainout of the season. ... Texas
OF Josh Hamilton reported improvement in his sore ribs, but
still has pain and will miss a few more games. ... Washington
celebrated his 57th birthday. ... Rangers RHP Kris Benson, on
the 15-day DL with elbow tendinitis, will throw a bullpen
session before Thursday's game. ... Texas (10-10) has a chance
to finish over .500 in April for the first time in Washington's
three seasons as manager. The Rangers were 10-15 and 10-18 in
his first two Aprils.